The Seton Hill University Theatre and Dance Program will present “PIPPIN,” music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson, Oct. 21 to 29, 2022 in the William Granger Ryan Theatre, Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, Pa. Tickets are $15, with student and group rates available. Call the Seton Hill Performing Arts Center Box Office for tickets at 724-552-2929 or purchase tickets online at www.setonhill.edu/tickets. “PIPPIN” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized materials are also supplied by MTI. 

To preserve the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, we will be requiring masks at public events, regardless of vaccination status, when the COVID-19 transmission rate in Westmoreland County is high as reported by the CDC. When the transmission rate is medium or low, masks are required only for those who are not fully vaccinated and boosted.

Performances: October 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29: 8 p.m.; October 23: 2 p.m.

With an infectious and unforgettable score from musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, “PIPPIN” is a story of a young man’s search for fulfillment.  Join him and a mysterious troupe of players in a magical, dazzling, circus-inspired journey through war, temptations of the flesh, politics, and love.  This musical theatre gem and 2013 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival is as enchanting as ever.  Please note, “PIPPIN” includes adult themes and language. 

The Seton Hill student cast of “PIPPIN” includes Carolyn Jerz of Greensburg, Pa., Leading Player; Jonathan Heinbaugh of Irwin, Pa., Pippin; Gabriel M. List of Irwin, Pa., Charles; Samantha Sheldon of Catonsville, Md., Fastrada; Kenzie Hartnett of Bridgeville, Pa., Berthe; Abbey Rocks of New Salem, Pa., Catherine; Connery Brown of Aliquippa, Pa., as Lewis; Kate McCarty of Butler, Pa., Dance Captain; and Players Delaney Bortz of Delmont, Pa.; Veronica Buell of Duxbury, Mass.; Elaina Ciecierski of Murrysville, Pa.; Mya Clay of McDonald, Pa.; Channing Griffin of Munhall, Pa.; Kelly Long of Lock Haven, Pa.; Corisa Saitta of Bethel Park, Pa.; Daniel Velasquez of Summerhill, Pa.;  Penny Zamborsky of Homestead, Pa.; Ben Ament of Latrobe, Pa., and Gunner Firmstone of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., both playing Theo at alternate performances.

The band for the Seton Hill production of “PIPPIN” includes Michelle Walters, Director of Community relations in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Conductor/Keyboard; Lisa Thackrah, Music Instructor, Reeds; Annette Russell, Trumpet; Justin Anderson, Community Arts Instructor, Guitar; CJ Inkenhaus, Bass; Lindsey Lamagna, Community Arts Instructor, Drums & Percussion.

The Seton Hill student technical staff includes Dimitri Apodiakos of Belle Vernon, Pa.; Kinsley Beachler of Pittsburgh, Pa; Isabella Blough of Johnstown, Pa.; Abigail Breznak of Lititz, Pa.; Christopher Brown of Forestville, Md.; Connery Brown of Aliquippa, Pa.; Madison Buckley of Westlake, Ohio; Emma Corall of Harrison City, Pa.; Peyton Corsetti of Coraopolis, Pa.; Tara Dougherty of Jefferson Hills, Pa.; Sage Evans of Duncansville, Pa.; Madisyn Faux of Munhall, Pa.; Sami Gravatt of Whiting, N.J.; Channing Griffin of Munhall, Pa.; Skyler Hostetler of Summerhill, Pa.; Taylor Humenay of Clearfield, Pa.; Jamie Keys of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; AJ Koma of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Gabriel M. List of Irwin, Pa.; Kelly Long of Lock Haven, Pa.; Marissa Mannerino of New Brighton, Pa.; Amanda MacMurtrie of Collegeville, Pa.; Raina McIntosh of McKeesport, Pa.; Paige Mcconlogue of Scranton, Pa.; Rowan Mentzer of Greenville, Pa.; Tyawna Meyers of Central City, Pa.; Sofie Poborski of South Fork, Pa.; Lumen Roach of Johnstown, Pa.; Alyssa Scalia, Chambersburg, Pa.; Kendra Shoffstall of Somerset, Pa.; Nia Smith of Moon Township, Pa.; Tess Stiffler of Penfield, N.Y.; Alyson Taylor of Nassau, Bahamas; Alexandra Tompkins of Mount Pleasant, Pa.; Alexis Treese of Altoona, Pa.; Daniel Velasquez of Summerhill, Pa.; Larissa Walker of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Sarah Wells of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Saffron White of Pittsburgh, Pa.; McKenna Yutzy of Latrobe, Pa.; Devon Young of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Penelope Zamborsky of Homestead, Pa.

Directing Team

The Seton Hill University production of Pippin is directed by Joseph Domencic, who has been teaching and music directing at Seton Hill since 2003 while working as a professional actor, music-director, and teacher for professional theatres in Western PA.  He reunites with Seton Hill adjunct faculty member, Joe Nickel (choreography) and Director of Community Relations in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Michelle Walters (music director).

Artistic and Production Staff include Karen Glass, Assistant Professor of Theatre, set design, charge scenic artist and properties manager; Lisa leibering, Assistant Professor of Theatre, costume director and costume and puppet design; Ken Clothier, Assistant Professor of Theatre, master electrician; Elaine Montgomery, costume shop manager; Dwight Brown of Good Sounds, LLC, sound design and sound mixer; Michael Misko, magic consultant; Denise Pullen, Associate Professor of Theatre, artistic director;  Caila Yates, technical director, production manager and COVID-19 compliance officer; and Abigail George of Gibsonia, Pa., production stage manager.

Venue Information: All Seton Hill Theatre performances are held in the William Granger Ryan Theatre in Seton Hill’s Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, Pa.  The Performing Arts Center is a fully accessible and climate-controlled facility.  Parking is available in four nearby Greensburg parking areas:  the Bell Parking Garage on North Otterman Street (across the street from the Performing Arts Center), the Hellman-Ghrist lot on North Main Street, the Albert Grillo lot on Seton Hill Drive and the Wib Albright lot off West Otterman Street.  

Ticket Information:  Single admission tickets are $15.  Seton Hill students (with valid ID) can purchase tickets for $5.  Non-Seton Hill students (with a valid school ID) can purchase advance tickets for $13.  Students from any school can purchase rush tickets five minutes before curtain, subject to availability, for $5 (with valid school ID).  Groups of six or more can purchase tickets at a rate of $11 each with a reservation and advance payment. Order tickets online, by phone at 724-552-2929, or by mail at SHUPAC Box Office, Seton Hill University, 1 Seton Hill Drive, Greensburg, Pa. 15601-1599.  Box Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. and three hours before a performance

Seton Hill University’s Performing Arts Center is 73,000 square feet of everything a performing arts major needs to move from student to professional.   The Center houses two dedicated, flexible performance spaces, the Carol Ann Reichgut Concert Hall and the William Granger Ryan Theatre. The Center also includes a performance studio, new classrooms, rehearsal rooms and technical areas that include the best equipment for learning and performing, from Steinway pianos to the latest in lighting, sound, video and acoustics.  The Center is located in downtown Greensburg, putting it squarely in the middle of the city’s cultural district yet still only minutes from Seton Hill’s main hilltop campus.

The Seton Hill University Theatre and Dance Program has a long history of educating performing arts majors for professional careers while playing a vital role in the educational life of the campus.  Seton Hill’s Theatre and Dance Program offers five full-length productions (as well as a number of shorter works) each year that generate audiences of over 3,500 and speak to topics addressed in courses across Seton Hill’s curriculum.  For more information on the Theatre Program at Seton Hill, please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 724-552-2934.

Photo Caption: Veronica Buell, Carolyn Jerz, MacKenzie Hartnett, and  Daniel Velasquez in the Seton Hill University Theatre production of "PIPPIN."